Merchandising marker



Nov. 5, 1968 Filed Aug. 5, 1965 J. H. DRILLICK MERCHAND I S ING MARKER 5Sheets-Sheet l BY m c @am /M-n f 50M/MJ A TTORNEY Nov. 5, 19:68 ,1. H.DRILLICK MERCHANDISING MARKER 5 Sheets-Shee 2 Filed Aug. 5. 1965INVENTOR J, H. RILLICK BY Mclean n70/h4 ATTORNEY Nov. 5, 1968l 1. H.DRILLICK 3,408,929

MERCHANDI S ING MARKER Filed Aug. 5, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. j,H DRlLLICK ATTORNEY United States Patent O 3,408,929 MERCHANDISINGMARKER Jacob H. Drillick, Hackensack, NJ., assignor to Ohr- Tronics,Montvale, NJ., a corporation of New York Filed Aug. 3, 1965, Ser. No.476,796 4 Claims. (Cl. 101-69) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This devicefor marking price tags is designed to print identical prices upon eachsection of a composite tag and may remove a portion of each section ofthe tag if it previously displayed an old price which is to be changed.The small and lightweight construction makes it possible to re-markprice tags without their being removed from the merchandise to whichthey are attached and without removing the merchandise from displayracks. Print wheels may be adjusted to the desired position for printingthe selected price.

The present invention relates to a device for marking price tagsattached to merchandise. More particularly, it relates to a device thatis designed to print the identical price designations upon each sectionof a composite price tag. Further, the invention contemplates a devicewhich makes it possible to change the displayed price which has alreadybeen printed on the composite price tag.

In the merchandising business, price tags are often made in compositeform comprising three sections. Provision is also made so that eachsection may be separated from the other. Price tags are designed in thisform so that one section may be retained with the merchandise for theconsumer while the other two sections may be routed to the billing andaccounting departments after the sale is made.

In the ordinary course of the mercantile business, the price of themerchandise article is printed on a price tag and attached to themerchandise. Occasions may arise when it is necessary to modify theprice already displayed on the merchandise price tag. This modificationmay take place either for the purpose of decreasing the original price,as for sale merchandise, or for raising the price of the article, due toincreased costs in manufacturing. It is thus seen essential that allthree parts of the composite tag ,must display the same pricedesignation before and after the price modication has been made thereonsince, otherwise, errors will occur in the accounting proceduresresulting from the sales.

In the past, machines have been constructed which print prices onmerchandise price tags, but they have displayed many decideddisadvantages. It has been found that such machines, due to theircomplicated structure, are not adapted to be easily operated by theordinary sales employee. Further, because of their cumbersome design,these machines are far from being portable in nature.

This invention relates to a novel merchandising marker which is adaptedto mark composite price tags and comprises a means for selectivelyproducing a plurality of series of numbered type in a line to impress aplurality of identical prices on each separate portion of the compositeprice tag, a means for pressing the composite tag against the pluralityof numbered type, means operable for ap-l plying ink to the impressionsmade by the numbered type on the tag, and means operable simultaneouslywith said pressing and ink supplying means for removing a portion ofsaid tag displaying the old price designation.

This novel device, since it is s mall and lightweight in construction,makes it possible for the price tags to be marked or re-marked withouttheir being removed from the merchandise to which they are attached.Further, the merchandising goods need not even be removed from the salesracks when it is desired to mark their individual tags, since this novelmarker is portable and thus can be easily transported to the racks.

This merchandising marker also enables a composite tag to be printedwith the same identical price impressed on each portion thereof. Theparticular type adjustment included within this novel arrangement, thatchanges the type for the printing of one portion of the composite tag,changes the type of the marker in the same manner with respect to allthe other sections of the composite tag so that each tag portioncontains the identical price designation as the others.

This novel device still further makes it possible to remove with easeand speed the price designation printed upon the price tag whilesimultaneously printing upon the tag a new price indicia.

Other advantages will become apparent from the consideration of thefollowing description, taken in connection with the drawings, wherein:

FIG. l is a view in elevation and partly in section of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view showing the invention and, in addition, theposition of the composite tag before it is inserted into the invention;

FIG. 3 is a side View in section, taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side view in section of a fragmentary portion of theinvention, also taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a transverse view in section taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a transverse view in section taken on line 6 6 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a view in elevation and partial section taken on line 7 7 ofFIG. 5

FIG. 8 is a transverse view in section taken on line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a view in elevation and partial section disclosing a sec-ondembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a transverse view in elevation and partial section taken online 10-10 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a view in elevation and partial section of a fragmentaryportion of the invention;

FIG. 12 is a view in elevation of the side of the invention showing thedevice mounted in xed relation to a tudinal tracks 3 and 3' disposedabove the housing 2. A

shield 4 is placed over the tracks 3 and 3' and is attached thereto. Aplastic rectangular bucket 5 depends from the housing 2.

Situated immediately above the housing 2, a rectangular printing plate 6is disposed. An elongated slot 7 is arranged between the printing plate6 and the track 3.

Attached to the rear end of the tracks 3 and 3 there extends a handle 8and a lever 9. The handle 8 is securely attached to the tracks 3 and 3at its rearward end, while the lever 9 is rotatably attached to thehandle 8 at its rearward end by means of a pin 10. A spring 11 ismounted on the handle 8 and lever 9. Because of the spring 11, thehandle 8 and the lever 9 are normally positioned in a generally V-shapedarrangement. Depending downwardly from the free end of lever 9 is anarcuate rack 12 having teeth 13 which communicates with a gear assemblywhich will be hereinafter explained.

A -In.FIG. 2 there is illustrated a conventional composite price taggenerally indicated by 14, comprising three sections indicated by 15, 16and-17. At one end of each section 15, 16 and 17, there is imprinted aprice designation.

The device 1 also contains a plurality of printing stations 18, 19 and20, all aligned longitudinally of the device. Each printing7 stationcomprises five printing wheels 21, three of which are spaced to printthe prices in terms of hundreds, tens and units of dollars. Theremaining two are spaced to print aprice in terms of tensand units ofcents. It is to be understood that the number of printing wheels 21selected is for the purpose of illustration only, and that the devicemay include a greater or less number of wheels than those shown in thedrawings.

The tag 14 is adapted to fit into slot 7 and over the printing stations18, 19 and 20 so that the price may be imprinted upon the tag 14.

As illustrated in FIGS. l and 2, the shield 4 is made of transparentplastic to permit the viewing of printing stations 18, 19 and 20, duringthe setting of the printing wheels 21, and also to view the tag duringthe printing operation. The rectangular bucket is also made oftransparent plastic and serves as a container to catch the clippingsremoved from the ends of the price tags.

The printing wheels 21 `are operably connected with a knurled knob 22which is adapted to rotate each printing wheel 21 individually intoselected positions.

Referring to FIGS. 3-8, the merchandising marker includes a printingshaft 23 which is slidably and rotatably mounted in the end members 24of the housing 2. t

On the end of the printing shaft 23, exterior to the housing, is mountedthe knurled knob 22 that is aixed to the shaft by set screw or othermeans. The knob permits the printing shaft to be rotated in the endmembers 24 and also to be shifted in a direction axially of the printingshaft 23. The opposite end of the printing shaft 23 is provided withannular indentations 25 that cooperate with a spring detent 26 aflixedon the outer side of member 24 to releasably retain the printing shaftin any one of the positions determined by the spacing of theindentations.

The printing shaft 23 supports a plurality of hollow cylindrical splinedsleeves 27 separated by narrow hollow shaft 23 is axially moved withinprinting wheelsll sc that splined discs 28. Both the sleeves 27 and thediscs 28 have interior and horizontal spline grooves. The sleeves 27 arefree to rotate relative about the shaft 23 on which they are supportedwhile the discs 28 are affixed to the printing shaft 23. The sleeves 27and discs 28 are held together, side by side, by split rings 29 disposedin annular grooves near each end of the shaft 23, thus forming a flangeagainst which the ends of the sleeves 27 abut. The i splines of sleeves27 and discs 28 are peripherally spaced and extend parallel with theaxis of the shaft 23.

The printing wheels 21 are formed as annular rings having interior andhorizontal spline grooves which are adapted to lit over the splinegrooves on the sleeves 27 and discs 28 (see FIG. 8). The exteriorperiphery of the printing wheels 21 is provided with eleven equallyspaced at surfaces upon which numbered type 30 from one to ten areengraved.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 3-8, the type 30 is positive in character sothat when the tag 14 is pressed upon the type, the image of the typewillbe embossed through the tag. Thesplined sleeves 27 and discs 28 arepositioned in axial alignment with each other and, accordingly, it isevident that both the sleeves and discs are adapted to be slidablewithin the type wheels 21.

The spline grooves on the sleeves 27 and discs 28 are also engaged by anedge of the keying plate 31 extending longitudinally beneath theprinting shaft 23. The plate 31 is secured to both ends of members 24within the housing 2. The keying plate 31 is provided with a cut-outportion 32 in the region of the printing wheels 21 to provide clearancethereof. This keying plate 31 prevents the rotation of the sleeves 27about the shaft 23, but not the rotation of printing wheels 21. It isthus seen that if the printing the discs 28 are directly beneath a setof the printing wheels 21, the rotation of printing shaft 23 will.rotateonly the corresponding set of printing wheels 21 in each printingstation. The discs 28 on the printing shaft 23 may be moved axially fromthe hundreds printing'wheel to the tenths printing wheel, and each inturn may be adjusted to the desired annular position for displaying thedesired price to be impressed on the tag. I

The printing plate 6 is mounted on the top of the housing and ismaintained in this position by overlapping end members 33. .The printingplate6 is provided with a longitudinally extending groove 34 (see FIG.5), and contains a series of apertures 35 through which the uppersurface of the annular printing wheels 21 extend or protrude. Onelongitudinal edge of the printing plate 6 is substantially flush withthe side of the housing 2, while the opposite edge 36 is terminatedshort of the opposite side of the housing 2 to define a space 37. (SeeFIG. 5.)

Mounted upon the overlapping end members 33 of the housing are a pair oftracks 3 and 3' positioned to face inwardly. Positioned between thetracks is a U-shaped member 38. A longitudinally extending linearsaw-toothed track geared rack 39 is attached to said U-shaped member atits base. A roller shaft 40 extends horizontally but perpendicular tothe axis of the track geared rack 39 between and through the arm of theU-shaped member 38. The roller shaft 40 is journaled in bearings 41arranged on the U-shaped member 38, and carries a pair of rollers 42which are mounted on the shaft 40 outside of the arms of the U-shapedmember 38. -v

The rollers 42 ride within the tracks 3 and 3 and, accordingly, make itpossible to move U-shaped member 38 and the track geared rack 39 in adirection along the axis of the track shaft. f

Between the arms of the U-shaped member 38 and also supported by theroller shaft 40 and a shaft sleeve 43, is an ink roller 44. The inkroller 44 is so constructed to ride in the groove 34 of the plate 6 forpressing the price tags onto the type 30 to cause the tag 14 to beembossed when the tag 14 is inserted into the slot 7. A band may also bepositioned around the outer periphery of the ink roller. Both the rollerand the band are composed of a material that firmly presses the pricetag into the type, but yet has enough resilience to permit the embossingof the price tag. The band itself may be made of cloth or fibrousmaterial to absorb and retain a supply of ink for inking the tops of theembossed numbers on the tag to make the numbers visible.

As shown in FIG. 5, a shearing knife wheel or cutter 45 is disposed onone side of the ink roller 44 and integral with a shaft sleeve 43. Sincethe diameter of the knife wheel 45 is slightly larger than the diameterof the ink roller 44, both the knife wheel and ink roller are positionedon shaft 40 so that the knife wheel 45 extends over, but in shearingengagement with the edge 36 of the printing plate 6.

The ink roller 44 should not normally touch the printing wheels 21 butshould be positioned immediately above them. This is to insure that onlythe numbers embossed by the type 30 on the print wheels 21 are inked bythe ink roller 44. It has been found that a tolerance of .001 should bepresent between the ink roller 44 and the print wheels 21 in order forthe production of sharp and clear images to be printed on the tag 14.

The end of the track geared rack 39, opposite the U-shaped member 38,meshes with a gear `46 formed integral, side by side, with a smallergear 47. The gears 46 and 47 are rotatably mounted on a horizontal andstationary gear shaft 48 positioned perpendicular to the axis of theprinting shaft 23. The gear shaft 48 is fastened to the rearward end ofeach track 3 and 3. Grooves are formed in the shaft 48 that cooperatewith the spring split rings 50 to form flanges on the gear shaft 48 inorder to tix the position of the gears 46 and 47 on the shaft.

The smaller gear 47 meshes with the vertical arcuate rack 12 and,accordingly, enables the arcuate rack 12 to move vertically between thetracks 3 and 3. The spring 11 is secured in place at its lower end onthe handle 8 by pin and is looped up and around until it contacts theunderside of the lever 9 and is locked in place by a lever groove `51.The spring urges the lever to rotate in a clockwise direction about thepin 10, but yet permits the lever 9 to be manually actuated in acounterclockwise direction about the pivot pin 10. The handle 8 andlever 9 are each provided with hand grips adapted to t the hand of theoperator.

As illustrated in the drawings, there are three printing stations 18, 19and 20, each comprising 'live separate and individual printing7 wheels.Two of the individual printing wheels are spaced a distance apart fromthe remaining three. The printing shaft 23, as already mentioned,contains a series of three spline discs 28. The spline discs 28 are sospaced apart by spline sleeves 27 that only one spline disc 28 is ableto cooperate with one printing wheel 21 in each printing station.Accordingly, it can be seen that if the printing shaft 23 is rotated inthis position, all three printing wheels 21 in each printing station 18,19 and 20 will be rotated in the same identical manner. Such anarrangement enables the composite price tag comprised of threeindividual sections to be printed simultaneously and with the identicalprice. It is be to understood that this invention is not confined to theprinting of a composite tag having only three sections, `but that itcontemplates the use of printing stations of a number greater or lessthan three.

Before the printing of the price tag 14 can take place, it is necessaryfor the operator to select the proper number designation to indicate thedesired price which is to be printed on the merchandise. This isaccomplished by axially moving the printing shaft 23 until the spline`discs 28 are directly within one printing wheel 21 of each printingstation. The knob 22 is then rotated, which correspondingly turns theprinting wheels 21 until the desired numbers on the printing wheels 21protrude through the apertures in each printing station.

This same procedure is repeated with respect to every' printing wheel 21within each printing station until the proper price is indicated byviewing the printing plate 6 through the transparent shield 4.

The apparatus is now in proper condition to emboss a price designationupon the price tag 14. The tag 14 is then inserted in the slot 7 of themerchandising marker until it is flush over the printing stations 18, 19and 20. Downward pressure is then exerted upon the lever 9. Thisvertical force, transferred through the arcuate rack 12, causes therotation of gears 46 and 47 which, in turn, cause the shaft 39 and inkedroller 44 attached thereto, to be drawn rearwardly toward the handle 8from its normal resting place at the forward ends of printing plate 6,as shown in FIG. 3. As this geared rack 39 moves, the roller 44 engagesthe top side of the tag 14 and presses it downwardly around the type 30on the printing wheels 21, which protrude through the apertures of theprinting plate 6. This causes the outline of the type to be embossed onthe tag. As the embossing takes place, the ink roller 44 coats the topof the embossed outlines of the type, to complete the printing process.Once the roller 44 completely traverses the length of the printing plate6, as shown in FIG. 4, the tag 14 is removed from the slot 7 with theprice clearly marked on the tag. The downward pressure exerted on thelever 9 is then released and the roller is caused to roll toward theforward end of the merchandising marker. Once the roller 44 is restingat the forward end, the marker is then in position to receive anotherprice tag for printing.

When it is desired to re-mark the price tag and, at the same time,remove the old price appearing on the portion 51 of the tag (see FIG.13), the above operation of selecting the desired price is repeated.

The price tag 14 is then inserted into the slot 7 and over the printingplate 6 of the merchandising marker until the portion of the tagdisplaying the previously printed price extends over the edge 36 of theprinting plate 6. As the geared rack 39 is drawn rearwardly toward thehandle 8 and a new price is printed thereon, the cutting or knife wheel45 will simultaneously shear off that portion 53 of the tag 14 thatoverhangs the edge 36 of the printing plate 6. The sheared end portionof the tag then drops by gravity for collection intoj the rectangularbucket 5.

FIGS. 9-11 illustrate a second embodiment of the invention. Thisembodiment is very similar in construction to the device illustrated inFIGS. 1 8, except that it is so constructed that it operates to printthe price designation on the underside of the price tag instead of onthe top.

In the second embodiment, a printing shaft 23 is supported by the endmembers 24 for rotational and longitudinal movement within the housing2. The printing shaft 23 supports a plurality of splined sleeves 27 andsplined discs 28 with the discs 28 arranged between the adjacent ends ofthe splined sleeves 27. The splined sleeves 27 are rotatably mountedwith respect to the shaft 23 and are prevented from longitudinalmovement by split rings 26 engaging in annular grooves in the shaft 10.The sleeves 27 and discs 28 support a plurality of printing wheels 21having internal spline grooves which engage the exterior spline groovesof said sleeves 27 and discs 28. The sleeves 27 are prevented fromrotating about the shaft 23 by the key plate 31 which is mounted belowthe shaft 23 on the end member 24, and which has one edge engagingwithin the grooves of the splines of the sleeves 27. The printing wheels21 are also arranged in three general groups for printing the threeseparate portions of the composite tag 14, in similar fashion aspreviously mentioned in regard to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS.1-8.

The exterior of the Aprinting wheels is divided into eleven typesurfaces, spaced evenly around the periphery. On ten of thetypesurfacesthere are affixed numbered type designations, while the eleventhsurface is left blank. As distinguished from the embodiment disclosed inFIGS. 1 through 8, inclusive, the designations of this embodiment typeare negative to the numbers type therein used. The dollars and centsdigits are also arranged on the printing plate in the reverse order fromthat shown in the prior embodiment.

The shaft 23 is both rotatably and longitudinally movable by the knob 22for selectively rotating the annular printing wheels.

Above the printing wheels 21, there is arranged a printing plate 6having a longitudinal groove 34 therein and a series of aperturestherethrough, spaced along the groove at intervals. The printing wheels21 protrude through the apertures of the printing plate 6.

The printing plate 6, in this embodiment, differs from that disclosedfor the first embodiment in that it includes a second longitudinalgroove 54 extending parallel to the first groove 34, the purpose ofwhich will hereinafter be explained.

The printing plate 6 has its outer edge substantially flush with theside of the housing 2, while its inner edge 36 is spaced inwardly fromthe opposite side of the housing 2 to .form the space 37, as shown inFIG. l0.

Mounted on top of the housing 2 are a pair of longitudinally extendingtracks 3 and 3', spaced apart and arranged so that the tracks 3 and 3face each other. Between the tracks there extends a U-shaped member 38which is integral with a longitudinally extending track geared rack 39.The U-shaped member supports a roller shaft 40. Rotatably attached tothe outer ends of a roller shaft 40 are rollers 42, adapted to revolvein the tracks 3 and 3. Between the arms of the U-shaped member 38, theshaft 40 supports a pressure roller 55 and a cutter or knife wheel 45.The roller 55 is adapted to roll over the 7 top of the plate 6, abovethe groove 34 While, at the same time, the knife wheel 45 is adapted tocooperate with the edge 36 of the plate 6 to provide a rolling-shearingaction for cutting off the end of the tag that extends over the'edge 36of the printing plate 6 when the tag is inserted within the slot 7.

Also arranged between the arms of the U-shaped member` 38 and embracingtheshaft40 is a lever 56 (see FIGS. -11). One end of the lever S6 isfreely pivoted on the shaft 40, while the other end has a pin 57 affixedthereto, whichV supportsv an inking roller 58. The width of the roller58 is` less vthan the traverse width of the groove 34 and, accordingly,the roller is adapted to roll along in the bottom of the groove 34 andinky the type'30 on the printing wheels 21 that protrudeV through theapertures of the printing plate 6. v

The Alever 56 alsoincludes, a cam-like projection 60 which extendsdovvrlwardlyy from the'.l pin 57. Inthe absence of a taglbeing inposition over the-printing plate for printing, the 'lever 56slidesin.the groove 54 and permits the roller 58 t0 roll directly in thegroove 34. When a tag is` positioned over. the printing plate 6, the cam60 rides on top of the tag, thereby lifting the roller 58 above* the`groove 34. It is thus seen that the ink roller 58 is supported aboveand out of contact with the tag during the traverse of the printingroller 58 along the printing plate 6.

The geared rack 39 may be actuated as by arcuate rack 12, through theaction of intermediate gears 46 and 47 in the same manner as describedin relation to FIGS. 1-8.

In this embodiment, the merchandising marker is operated in thefollowing manner.

The proper price designations are iirst selected by the operator in thesame manner as already described.

The printing wheels 21, protrudingthrough the apertures of the printingplate 6, are then coated with ink. This is accomplished by drawing thetrack geared rack 39 and the ink roller 58 attached thereto, from theirnormal resting position at the forward end of the printing plate 6, asshown in FIG. 9, toward the rearward end of the printing plate 6. As theink roller is pulled, the cam projection 60 rides in groove 54 in theprinting plate 6, and thus the ink roller S8 contacts the type 30 onprinting wheels 21, protruding through the apertures of the printingplate.

When the ink roller 58 is returned to its normal position at the forwardend of the printing plate 6, the tag 14 is then inserted into the slot7. The side of the tag upon which the price is to be printed ispositioned `face downward. The geared rack 39 is again drawn toward thehandle 8. The roller 55 presses the tag against the type and the ink,previously applied thereon, is transferred to the tag. At the end of theprinting traverse, the tag is removed and the ink roller 58 falls intothe groove 34. During the return traverse, the ink roller deposits a newcoating of ink on the type in readiness to print a new price tag 14.During the printing traverse, that portion S3 of the tag 14 that iscaused to overhangthe edge 36 of the plate 6 is sheared off by the knifewheel 45, operating in cooperation with the edge 36, as hereinbeforedescribed.

FIG. 12, illustrating a third embodiment, discloses a tag re-markermounted on a table top 61. The operating structure of this modificationis very similar to that of the two preceding embodiments.

As illustrated, the housing 2 is mounted upon the top of the table 61.This table also supports the tracks 3 and 3' which are covered by thetransparent shield 4. The rectangular bucket 5 is supported beneath thetable top. The table top, between the lower cover and the frame 18, isapertured to permit the severed portion 53 of the tag 14 to fall throughthe housing 2 into the bucket 5.

In the place of the handle, lever and arcuate rack, as are used in thetwo previous embodiments, this modi- 8,. cation of 4the merchandisingmarker utilizes av motor 62 to move the roller shaft. This shaft may bemoved by a solenoid which may be energized through a switch positionedto close when the tag to be printed is inserted into the slot 7 andpositioned above the printing plate 6.

Various changes may be made in the details of the invention as describedherein, without sacrificing any of the Aadvantages thereof, or departingfrom the scope of the appended claims.

I claim: i

1. A device for making price designations on a cornposite tag havingdetachable portions, comprising: (a) a'rec'tangular housing; v(b) a pairoftra'cks disposed above said housing and facing inwardly; (c) a springhandle mounted integrally with said track; (d) an Velongated roller'shaft adaptedA to move longitudinally along and between said tracks; (e)an ink rollei mounted'on said roller shaft at its forward end; (f) anarcuate rack attached to said handle and adapted to move said shaftalong said tracks; (g) a printing plate locatedv between said housingand said tracks, said plate having apertures therethrough; (h) ame'ansfor placing a price tag above said printing plate; (i) ayprinting shaftdisposed within said housing extending parallel between said rollershaft; (j) a plurality of spline sleeves mounted on said printing shaft;(k) a plurality of spline discs mounted between said spline sleeves andoperably connected to said printing shaft; (l) a plurality of numberedprint wheels adapted to slide over said spline sleeves and discs andprotrude through said apertures; andy (ni) a means for rotating saidprinting shaft.

S2.'The device according to claim 1, wherein `said ink roller'carries ameans for shearing off a portion of the tag. j

3. A device for making price designations on a composite tag havingdetachable portions, comprising: (a) a rectangular housing; (b) a pairof tracks disposed above said housing and facing inwardly; (c) a springhandle mounted integrally with said tracks; (d) an elongated rollershaft adapted to move longitudinally along and between said tracks bythe action of said spring handle; (e) 'a printing plate located betweensaid housing and Saiditrack's, said' plate having aperturestherethrough; (f) a means for placing a price tag above said printingplate; (g) ka printing shaft disposed within said housing extendingparallel between said roller shaft; (h) a plurality of spline sleevesmounted on said printing shaft; (i) a plurality of spline discs mountedbetween said spline sleeves and voperably connected to said printingshaft; (j) a plurality of numbered vprint wheels adapted to slide oversaid spline sleeves and discs 'and' protrude through said apertures;`(k) a means for rotating said printing shaft; (l) an ink rollerpositioned between said tracks and integral with said roller shaft,adapted to coat the numbered printing wheels protruding through saidapertures; and (rn) means operable with said ink roller to press acomposite tag against said printing wheels and, at the same time, toraise said inking roller from contact with said tag. l

4. The device according to claim 3, including a means associated withsaid pressing means for shearing ott a portion of the tag.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,156,224 10/1915 Harwood v-83-614 X 2,624,408 1/1953 Stein 83--485 2,935,939 5/1960 Doherty et al.lOl-269 3,024,724 3/1962 Angus lOl-110 3,087,422 4/ 1963 Harding 101-2693,279,369 10/1966 Wight 101-269 1,305,778 6/ 1919 Cushing et al 1101-2692,109,389 2/1938 Henry IOL- 297 ROBERT'EQPU'LFREY, Primary Examiner.

